Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Saturday, February 20, brought us to the Bilibid Prison, the national penitentiary of the Philippines.  It is grossly overcrowded with a total population of over 20,000.  Over 100 men gathered today in a nice facility owned by a Presbyterian group which allowed us to use it.  In fact, Ely Ebuenga, who is an approved religious worker in the prison, is trying to convert the inmate who has authority over the facility.

My first lesson was on “The Bread of Life” (Jn. 6:35), showing that Christ came to save us from sin and not to provide food, finances, and fun. The next sermon was entitled “To Seek and Save the Lost” (Lk. 19:10).  This sermon answers three simple questions: 1. What does it mean to be lost?  2. What does it mean to be saved?  3. How can we receive salvation?  The lessons were translated by Ely.

During the open forum an inmate who was a Baptist “pastor” before being incarcerated was agitated and made the argument that the thief on the cross was saved without baptism.  After I explained the thief died before the Great Commission was given, the inmate told how he once saved a man on his deathbed without baptism.  I answered that I have helped people on their deathbed arrange to be baptized, for instance, in a therapy tub in the hospital.  Jesus did not say, “He who believes and dies shall be saved,” but, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.”

When the agitated inmate arose again to quote Acts 16:31 regarding salvation by faith, the audience became frustrated with him and some began to insist he hush and sit down, which means they clearly got the point.  I asked everyone to be patient with him and I read verses 30-34 to show that the Philippian jailor did exactly what Jesus taught in Mark 16:16.  At that point, the “pastor” smiled sheepishly and sat down, defeated by the sword of the Spirit.

We closed with an invitation and 21 inmates stepped forward to confess their faith in Christ.  The brethren have their own small area partially under a tree with a dirt floor and a ramshackle roof where they had a large barrel prepared for baptisms.  The first man to be baptized was large in stature for a Filipino and we barely got him all the way under the water.  When we did, the water came gushing out like a water spout and a water fall, splashing onto the dirt floor so hard that muddy water splattered my pants and shoes.  What a joyful occasion!

Perhaps I can find some individual donations to help them concrete the floor and put up makeshift walls to protect them from blowing rain and running water.

Saturday afternoon found us at the home of Jimmy Battung, a retired police chief who converted his garage into a meeting place where he conducts services every Sunday for a church of 15-17 souls.  Thirteen of us gathered to study Genesis 22:12, “Now I Know that Thou Fearest God.”  During the open forum we discussed several questions about the Lord’s Supper and also the Christian and alcohol.  Two brethren from the deaf mute church brought a visitor they have been teaching.  At the end of the service I asked him if he wanted to obey the gospel, and he did!  This was a fruitful day!

By God’s good grace Ely Ebuenga took me to the Bilibid Prison for the Lord’s Day, Sunday, February 21.  Our morning appointment was in the Receiving and Diagnostics Center (RDC), where new inmates are assessed for 2-3 months before being assigned to another sector of the penitentiary.  When Willie Pastor was incarcerated, he stayed in RDC the whole time because he was entrusted with duties there, which gave him access to every new inmate.  He converted many of them, but most have been moved to other sectors now.  Willie came all the way from his home in the Quirino Province to attend the five days of classes on Revelation and stayed longer in order to join us for the worship at RDC today.

An inmate named Sonny Ibanez is a stable and reliable brother who has continued Willie’s work with the help of Ely.  Over 100 attended today’s service in a borrowed Catholic chapel under the watchful eyes of images as we preached the original gospel of Christ.  As I preached, Willie interpreted the lessons on “I Am the Bread of Life” (Jn. 6:35) and “To Seek and Save the Lost” (Lk. 19:10) into Tagalog because many inmates are  poorly educated and do not understand English well.

As a result of the previous work of Sonny and Ely along with today’s sermons, 24 men confessed Christ and went with us to the baptistry used by the brethren a short distance from the Catholic chapel.  To insure the inmates would not miss their roll call, we baptized them two at a time, Ely baptizing at one end and Willie and I at the other.  This reminded me that the 12 Apostles would have been baptizing multiple people simultaneously in order to baptize 3,000 souls on Pentecost.  Ely and Sonny are doing a good work!

In the afternoon we returned to the Medium Security sector where 21 were baptized yesterday.  I preached on the topic “Christ Teaches Us All Things” (Matt. 28:20).  He teaches us the right way to worship, to study God’s Word, to pray, to be better husbands and fathers, to be better citizens, to control our temper and tongue, and to spread the gospel.  I was especially trying to edify and encourage the new converts.

Before leaving we visited the Presbyterian building we used yesterday so that we could greet the inmate in control of that facility whom Ely is trying to convert.  He warmly welcomed us.  He was so happy with yesterday’s lessons that he invited me to return and preach for three days in the facility.  He wants to advertize the topics in advance.  What a golden opportunity that would be!  I hope that can be scheduled some time later this year.

On February 22, Monday, we went with Ely Ebuenga to Bicas, North Caloocan, about 2 ½ hours from the hotel.  About 50 attended and heard studies on “I Am the Bread of Life” (Jn. 6:35) and on “To Seek and Save the Lost” (Lk. 19:10).  Rody Gumpad summarized the lessons in Tagalog for people who do not understand English well.  After lunch my subject was “New Beginnings in Christ” (Ps. 118:22-24): a new covenant, a new kingdom, and a new birth.

During the open forum, a lady submitted a question stating she was baptized into Christ 15 years ago but had later fallen away: “What can I do, brother, to be sure my soul will be saved?”  I explained that her case was similar to Simon’s in Acts 8, and she could do what he did in verses 22-24: He repented and asked for the prayers of his brethren.  We prayed for her, and she was happy and thankful to eat the bread of life again!

After the service Ely informed me his mother lived nearby and he asked me to go with him to visit her.  We went to his mother’s small house to find her lying in great pain in the fetal position.  I was told she had fallen several days ago and has been suffering without money to see a doctor.   I immediately gave Ely some money and contacted Dr. Teresa Toreja so that his mother could be rushed to Teresa’s clinic without delay.  It turned out she has a broken pelvis, but she is too old for surgery – she will need to stay in a wheelchair.  She was also treated for dehydration.

I finally saw the moon for the first time on this trip as we drove back to the hotel.  It was a full moon, low on the horizon barely above the mountains in the distance, a beautiful sight.  And, yes, it sent all your messages of love.  I sent my love back to all of you.

On Tuesday we traveled almost three hours to reach the church meeting at Calumpit where Mel Tacbad has preached for many years.  When I made the first trips to the Philippines with Jim McDonald beginning in 1995, Mel was always here in Manila to greet us, help us get situated in our hotel room, and serve us in any way possible.  Later, he had major surgery, but the wound developed a terrible infection and remained an open wound for months on end.  He was bedfast or in a wheelchair for years and almost died several times, but by God’s grace he survived, though he lost the use of that leg and remains in a wheelchair.  It was a great joy to see this dear brother and his sweet wife Christi.

The meeting house at the side of his home was filled with about 40 people who were very attentive as we studied “God Created All Things” (Gen. 1) and “The Purpose of Our Life” (Gen. 1:27).  After lunch our lessons dealt with “The Bread of Life” (Jn. 6:35) and “New Beginnings in Christ” (Ps. 118:22-24).  The open forum continued until 5:00 PM with questions ranging from the days of creation to the sin against the Holy Spirit to the meaning of soul and spirit.

After our three hour trip back to the hotel, I know Jerry Toreja, our driver, was exhausted from such a long day and over six hours of time behind the wheel.  We ended on a relaxing note by meeting his wife Teresa because she finished a medical conference about the time we returned, and we enjoyed our supper at the Pancake House – can’t beat their blueberry pancakes!

Today, Wednesday, turned into another busy day as I met Mrs. Vicky Franco at the Philippine Bible Society to complete all the details necessary to order 1,422 Bibles in various dialects to be shipped throughout the Philippines.  This was made possible by generous donations from U.S. brethren, for which I give praise and thanksgiving to God!  In the words of Psalm 107:8, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

In the afternoon Vicky volunteered to have a driver for the P.B.S. use their vehicle to take us to visit Atoy Franco (they share the same surname but are not kin) who is at home trying to recover from cancer.  Atoy has used his car to drive me all over Metro Manila in recent years, including many trips to the P.B.S.  Vicky was very concerned when she learned Atoy is seriously ill.  We pray God will bless the treatments and the body of Atoy so that he will recover.

Vicky’s volunteering to help today illustrates the friendly and compassionate attitude of so many Filipinos.  She is a member of the Church of God headquartered in Cleveland, TN and I am explaining to her the original gospel and church of Christ as time and opportunity permit.  She was interested to learn today that churches of Christ function quite well by following the New Testament pattern without any earthly headquarters, human creed, or man-made guidelines.

I praise God for the love of His saints which makes these fruitful trips possible.  By the time many of you read this report I will be miles high flying home.  It is always bitter-sweet to end a trip because it is so uplifting to work with Filipino saints during this great harvest of souls, but also I always am anxious to return to Donna and the saints at the Hebron Lane church of Christ in Shepherdsville, KY.  Please join us in praying for David Dann and his family as they attend to many affairs in preparing to move to Shepherdsville to work with us there, hopefully sometime during the next couple of months.

May God bless His saints around the world as we serve Him and prepare to spend eternity with Him in heaven!

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

To see good Bible study material, go to:
http://www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com
http://www.biblework.com
http://www.truthmagazine.com
http://www.CEIbooks.com